Page 190 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

‘Do you really hope it?’
‘Very much.’
He went a few steps in silence; then he stopped and put
out his hand. ‘Good-bye.’
‘Good-bye,’ said Isabel.
Miss Molyneux kissed her again, and she let the two de-
part. After it, without rejoining Henrietta and Ralph, she
retreated to her own room; in which apartment, before din-
ner, she was found by Mrs. Touchett, who had stopped on
her way to the saloon. ‘I may as well tell you,’ said that lady,
‘that your uncle has informed me of your relations with
Lord Warburton.’
Isabel considered. ‘Relations? They’re hardly relations.
That’s the strange part of it: he has seen me but three or
four times.’
‘Why did you tell your uncle rather than me?’ Mrs.
Touchett dispassionately asked.
Again the girl hesitated. ‘Because he knows Lord War-
burton better.’
‘Yes, but I know you better.’
‘I’m not sure of that,’ said Isabel, smiling.
‘Neither am I, after all; especially when you give me that
rather conceited look. One would think you were awfully
pleased with yourself and had carried off a prize! I suppose
that when you refuse an offer like Lord Warburton’s it’s be-
cause you expect to do something better.’
‘Ah, my uncle didn’t say that!’ cried Isabel, smiling still.

190 The Portrait of a Lady